This is a prestigious leadership role within the builders’ merchant industry and one of the most high-profile leadership roles in the North East!

The leading independent builder's merchant covering the North East, Scottish Borders, Cumbria & Teesside

Based at their Newcastle Head Office with travel throughout their trading area

Salary – to attract the best + profit share & benefits package

JT Dove Ltd. is an independent, employee benefit trust (EBT) owned, leading regional builders’ and plumbers’ merchant with headquarters in Newcastle upon Tyne. The business marked 150 years of trading in 2019. Recently, over the last 16 years, it has undergone transformative and extensive changes. Consistent and significant growth in sales and profitability has been achieved through a successful and market-leading offer plus sustainable investment in branches. From 8 branches and 9 profit centres in 2006, the business now has 21 trading sites (the large majority of which are freehold) and trades through 48 profit centres across the North East, in Carlisle and the Scottish borders. In the last four years, a new branch has been added every year and the company has also invested in staff, marketing and digital trading know-how to launch and develop a significant and growing online offer. Despite all this investment, the company has low levels of borrowing.

The company employs around 350 people and had sales in 2021 of £90m, £6.37m of which was generated by online trading.

Current Managing Director Steve Robinson has notified the business of his decision to retire, hence a high calibre replacement is required. 

Potential candidates should have:

  • A successful track record of profitably running and growing a builder’s merchant or building materials distribution business, in a senior leadership role, ideally with a commercial bias. We are also open to individuals who’ve come from the supplier side of the industry or those who have operated successfully in similar multi-site B2B distribution businesses.  This could include Regional Directors, Sales Directors, Operations Directors as well as experienced Managing Directors
  • Can successfully operate in such an environment without the support structures of a larger corporate
  • A proactive, inquisitive, common-sense approach
  • Strong, positive communication skills
  • Willingness to roll sleeves up and always looking for opportunities to improve the business
  • To be customer-facing and enjoy doing this. The role will also involve attending industry events and meetings of associations and the buying group they’re a member of
  • Fit in with and positively develop the culture within the organisation, ensuring respect for all within the business
  • A self-starter and can operate at pace, making decisions in a confident manner – no procrastination here please!
  • Energetic and creative, resilient and tenacious. Willing to embrace the challenge
  • Can deliver the right level of information up and down the structure as required
  • Leadership of the highest calibre: inspire, lead, motivate, and engage with people throughout the business
  • Commercially and financially aware
  • Ideally you will live within a reasonable commuting distance of the North East or be happy, willing and able to relocate.  There will be some travel regionally within the role. 

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established regional builders’ merchant and help grow it! There is huge growth potential across the regions they serve.  They take a long-term view and the boards trusts their senior leadership to run the business as if it they were their own.  They are happy to invest in a number of areas:

  • Potential new locations throughout the North East, North and Scottish borders/central belt
  • Pursue possible acquisitions
  • New product categories
  • Improved sales & marketing strategy, including e-commerce

Trading from multiple sites in good locations they have a great reputation for customer service, a modern fleet of equipment and a committed and experienced team.

With the right leader this business will continue to expand – they have a fantastic track record of growth over the last 10+ years, including throughout the pandemic.  There will be freedom to trade in an autonomous environment with no bureaucracy and the support of an experienced senior leadership team.

The future is bright for this business. Come and be a part of it.  Be your own boss and create a winning environment where you – and the team – will be rewarded handsomely for it!

To apply send your CV to Neil Holloway, Managing Director of our retained consultants Wilson Brook Consulting neil@wilsonbrook.com 

Or call Neil on 07796 542641 for a confidential discussion

Or please follow this link to view his calendar and schedule a mutually convenient time for a call. This way you'll avoid any voicemail tennis. https://calendly.com/nholloway/15mincall